Avalanche

Avalanche: Philadelphia Flats

Brett Kobernik/Nick ShawSkyline
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Quick report

Slope Angle
38°

Avalanche

Slab Width
91 m
Weak Layer
Facets
Trigger Type
Snowmobiler
Vertical Fall
30 m
Avalanche Type
Soft Slab
Slab Thickness
61 cm
Trigger Detail
Repeater
Start Zone Aspect
North
Avalanche Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Start Zone Elevation
3078 m

This slide already released once this season naturally during the Thanksgiving storm. DETAILS HERE. This path is one of the usual suspects and generally avalanches every year, if not a few times a year.

In this case, a rider out on the flats came in and took a stab at the bottom of this steep slope. They triggered the slide from below and were able to ride away before the avalanche covered their tracks.

This is how many snowmobilers get caught in avalanches. They take a bite out of the bottom of a slope and the avalanche comes down on top of them.